Bait coloring composition

Abstract

A composition for coloring bait which comprises (a) at least one biologically acceptable and palatable colorant; (b) a mordant for binding said colorant to live bait; (c) a surfactant or an acidulant; and (d) an aqueous carrier. A kit for coloring live bait to catch fish comprising (a), (b) and (c) of the composition also forms part of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is: 
     
       1. A composition for coloring fish bait, said composition comprising: (a) about 10% by weight of at least one acid dye;   (b) a substance capable of binding said dye to fish bait selected from the group consisting of aluminum sulphate, aluminum chloride, aluminum nitrate, calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, barium chloride and barium nitrate;   (c) about 1 to 3% by weight of the composition of a surface active agent; and   (d) water;   said composition being ecologically acceptable when applied to fish bait and non-toxic to live fish bait when applied to live fish bait, said composition, after application to fish bait, being palatable to fish species sought.   
     
     
       2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said dye is selected from the group consisting of FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Red No. 2, FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Red No. 4, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Blue No. 1 and FD&C Blue No. 2. 
     
     
       3. The composition according to claim 1, and further including an acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid and oxalic acid. 
     
     
       4. The composition according to claim 3 wherein the pH is less than 5.0. 
     
     
       5. The composition according to claim 3 wherein said acid comprises about 10% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       6. The composition of claim 3 wherein said acid is citric acid and comprises about 10% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said substance (b) is aluminum sulphate and comprises about 10% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       8. A composition for coloring fish bait, said composition comprising: (a) about 10% by weight of at least one dye selected from the group consisting of FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Red No. 2, FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Red No. 4, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Blue No. 1 and FD&C Blue No. 2;   (b) a substance capable of binding said dye to fish bait selected from the group consisting of aluminum sulphate, aluminum choride, aluminum nitrate, calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, barium chloride and barium nitrate;   (c) about 1-3% by weight of the composition of a surface active agent; and   (d) water;   said composition being ecologically acceptable when applied to fish bait and non-toxic to live fish bait when applied to live fish bait, said composition, after application to fish bait, being palatable to fish species sought.   
     
     
       9. The composition of claim 1 wherein component (c) is present in an amount of about 1% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       10. The composition of claim 1 wherein said substance (b) is aluminum sulphate and comprises about 10% by weight of the composition and component (c) is a surface active agent comprising about 1% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       11. The composition of claim 1 wherein said surface active agent is an alkoxylate surfactant. 
     
     
       12. The composition of claim 11 wherein said alkoxylate surfactant is nonylphenyl alkoxylate.